Letter: Wilkerson as coronor can save county money

The next primary election, June 24, will be a time to search out and find the truth in the coroner’s race.

Carolyn Speshock is promising hope and change, hoping she’ll get elected and cost the county additional taxpayer dollars.

Autopsies don’t cost $1,000; they cost around $860. There are no “county facilities,” as the cost at McKee is shared among other agencies in Northern Colorado, another cost savings benefit, just as our Northern Colorado Crime Lab is shared among many law enforcement agencies. Shared costs means lower individual costs to all entities participating.

It is simple math; if you pay someone who is not a medical examiner $87,000 then have to pay a medical examiner $860 per autopsy, you are not saving money, Carolyn Speshock!

It makes sense to elect a medically qualified medical examiner who has the duty to perform Larimer County’s autopsies, as opposed to a manager who now must contract and compete with the rest of Northern Colorado to find a medical examiner and facilities to perform services for Larimer County, on top of drawing a salary, then still not have the medical expertise or ability to sign certificates or make medical decisions.

Carolyn, keep your hope, and I’ll keep my change in my pocket. We don’t need to spend more to get the same.

It makes sense, logically and monetarily, to elect Dr. James Wilkerson as coroner, keeping the professional and cost-effective system in place that serves the people of Larimer County.